MANCHESTER City were denied their first Premiership success since the start of November after Birmingham sealed all three points with two goals in the last ten minutes.

And to rub salt into the wounds, it was a freak goal by Mikael Forssell in the 88th minute that gave Birmingham their first home win in three months.

Richard Dunne cleared a cross from Robbie Savage but the ball rebounded off Forsell and past a helpless David Seaman for his eighth goal of the campaign.

It capped a late fightback by the home side after Robbie Fowler's goal had looked set to end a run of nine games without a win for the Blues.

But then Birmingham skipper Jeff Kenna scored a rare goal to bring his side back on level terms before Forssell earned them their first home win since the 2-0 success over Portsmouth on September 27.

Fowler strike

City took the lead after just 14 minutes when Robbie Fowler repaid the continued faith shown in him by Kevin Keegan by doubling his league tally for the campaign.

Steve McManaman took a quick free-kick and found Shaun Wright-Phillips in acres of space on the right flank.

He had time to steady himself before supplying a powerful dipping cross which was met by Fowler who beat Birmingham 'keeper Maik Taylor all ends up with his diving header.

The home side tried to retaliate and Seaman looked uncomfortable in dealing with crosses and twice made a mess of trying to punch away a left-wing centre from Stan Lazaridis but the home side were unable to capitalise.

Steve Bruce's side had most of the first half possession although Taylor had to cling onto a low 20 yard effort from Nicolas Anelka.

Sylvain Distin put in an important interception to deny Damien Johnson from running onto a pass from David Dunn.

One-way traffic

Birmingham came out for the second half all guns blazing and Dunn found himself clear in the penalty box after receiving a pass from Forssell.

But the former England Under-21 skipper delayed his shot and Dunne was able to make the tackle.

Forssell was halted by a strong challenge by Sun Jihai amidst vain appeals for a penalty after Johnson had supplied the telling pass.Rennie then rejected further penalty claims after a challenge by Sommeil on Forssell.

Manchester City were under the cosh for most of the second half, and eventually came undone when Kenna headed home after Savage's free-kick rebounded off the post into his path - and then came Forssell's extremely lucky decider.